City Comparison
Irvine vs San Bernardino
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Irvine scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Irvine
San Bernardino
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Bernardino is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Irvine.
Housing costs are a major driver: Irvine's average rent is
70% higher than San Bernardino's.
| Metric | Irvine | San Bernardino | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,066 | $1,803 | +70% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $4,066 | $2,803 | +45% |
| Cost Index | 168 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Irvine offers 29% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Bernardino delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Irvine is estimated at
$95,000 vs $55,000 in San Bernardino.
| Metric | Irvine | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $63,500 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,810 idx | 51,210 idx |
| Household Income | $136,719 | $67,415 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — San Bernardino sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Irvine | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.10°F | 66.80°F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | 93.30°F |
| Winter Low | 49.20°F | 44.70°F |
| Rainfall | 19.70 in | 19.60 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 324 | 328 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Irvine has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to San Bernardino.
San Bernardino scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Bernardino leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Irvine | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Irvine is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of San Bernardino.
From a growth perspective, Irvine is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Irvine has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Irvine | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 318,693 | 222,044 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.01% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Irvine
Advantages
Consistently ranked as one of the safest big cities in America for consecutive years per FBI statistics and local safety reports.
Irvine Unified School District achieves exceptional performance metrics, with high school graduation rates exceeding 97%.
Home to more than 19,000 thriving businesses providing robust local employment and career mobility.
Extensive outdoor recreational infrastructure featuring over 16,000 acres of preserved open space and extensive bicycle trails.
High concentration of residents with higher education degrees, fostering a progressive, intellectually vibrant community.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living sits roughly 68% higher than the national average, heavily driven by housing expenses.
Median home purchase prices scale past $1.4 million, presenting a steep barrier to entry for prospective first-time buyers.
High reliance on automobile travel for daily errands despite solid local bicycle infrastructure.
Strict homeowner association (HOA) regulations and municipal codes govern property aesthetics and modifications.
Rental prices remain among the highest in Southern California, placing considerable pressure on non-homeowners.
San Bernardino
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to coastal California cities.
Proximity to diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, including mountains and deserts.
Growing logistics and transportation industry providing job opportunities.
Developing urban core with ongoing revitalization efforts.
Diverse and multicultural population contributing to a rich community fabric.
Drawbacks
Higher crime rates compared to state and national averages, particularly property crime and vehicle theft.
Housing costs are higher than the national average.
Car dependency is high, with public transportation options being less comprehensive.
Economic disparities exist within the population.
Perception of safety can be a concern for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Irvine
#275California, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,066
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
168
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
324/yr
Avg Temp
64.10°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
88
Business
82
San Bernardino
#604California, USA
37.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,803
Avg Salary
$63,500
Cost Index
124
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.01%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
68
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